In my more recent reviews, I always tried to classify the anime I reviewed in some kind of genre. Strangely enough, I can’t seem to do this with Simoun. There is just not one typical category it fits in. It’s got some yuri-romance, it’s got action, it’s a character study, it deals with heavy themes, it’s got all of these tiny elements which somehow form this beautiful result.

I really mean it when I say that Simoun is an awesome anime. Probably one of the best who aired during the spring season. It’s mostly because of the characters. These characters are so incredibly fleshed out that as the anime progresses, it’s able to invoke their deepest emotions. The anime, however, starts out a bit fragile. The first episode is not necessarily a bad one, but it did turn many viewers away. After this first episode, the anime picks up in a steady pace, already giving the viewer small tastes of the awesomeness which is about to come.

The best of this series appears in episodes 14, 15 and 16. Seriously, at those episodes, this anime will have you clinging to the screen in order not to miss even a single millisecond. These scenes are just too good to be described. Afterwards, the series continues with an excellent average level, until another very good climax comes at episode nineteen and twenty.

From that point, the anime takes an incredibly original turn. It’s something only very few anime attempt. The overall theme suddenly gets shifted from the action and tension towards a more thought-provoking one: saying goodbye and living on. A great deal of time is spent on this, in comparison to other anime, and if I have to say so myself, the last episodes give Simoun a very fitting ending.

This anime shines because of its characters. Each and every single one of them is unique. Each has her own struggles, and when you combine these struggles, tensions can rise incredibly high. It’s also one of the very few anime who doesn’t mess up with the love-theme, and this makes the romance-aspect also one huge success, significantly contributing to the overall mood of the show.

The soundtrack which comes with this anime also is superb. There are certain tracks which will really help bring the best out of the scenes. In the graphical department, this series also shines. Especially with the character design. Each character looks absolutely gorgeous. The battles also are a very nice watch.

Still, like I said, the character-driven episodes are awesome. But they do make the story-driven episodes rather bland in comparison. That’s about the only down part of this anime. The characters are far more interesting that the general story behind all of this. That’s about the only bad point.

And so, I’m afraid to say it, but Simoun has come to an end. And it certainly has been one of the most unique endings ever. It was nothing that could have blown me off my chair, but instead, this ending did leave me with a warm, fuzzy feeling. I can happily say that this ending succeeded. Still, the ending was puzzling, and there are a small number of questions left unanswered.

Anyway, the episode takes place a few years in the future, in order to show what happened to each of the members of the chor tempest. Extra focus is put on Limone and we also see a flashback of what happened with Aaeru and Neviriru before they got to perform their Emerald Ri Maajon.

What happened to Aaeru and Neviriru afterwards wasn’t really spectacular. They headed off, a spokesman of the Highlands sends some Simoun to retrieve them, though the priestesses have no intention of capturing them. They perform the Emerald Ri Maajon, and disappear. It’s not the huge spectacle with Limone and Dominüra. Still, the fact that the only scenes we see of them is at the end of the episode, in which they’re dancing in the debris of the Arcus Prima does make you wonder what happened with them afterwards. It’s one of the few unanswered questions. I’m suspecting that they travelled a lot of different worlds.

Surprisingly, we never get to see Amuria. We never know what happened to her. Same with Mamiina’s body. She’s been shot down. What happened to it? Those are the only bad points of this episode.

Limone was awesome in this episode. She looks beautiful when she’s grown up, and it seems that her arrival triggered other people of her age to try flying with the Simoun as well. We never find out whether she’s in the future, or in the past. If I had to guess, it’s the future. Don’t know why. Dominüra hasn’t been willing to fly the Simoun ever since she arrived in this timezone. Limone, however, wants to fly again, though not if it means forcing her will onto Dominüra. She’s been bothered by quite an amitious Sybilla, who aims to be paired with Limone, but Limone refuses to fly with anyone other than her beloved pair. How cute. The last scene we see of them is Dominüra, who finally agrees to fly again. She and Limone happily walk off, while Limone casted off the same strange stuff Onashia did. Does this mean what I think it means?

Next up, the characters who remained in the current world. First up: Morinasu. She now works as a female employee under Wauf. She’s been married with Waporifu, and she’s pregnant of her second child now.

Wauf also got a little daughter. The identity of mother is never mentioned. But it does seem clear that he has a very strong bond with both Morinasu and his daughter. He was very cute to see. I also loved him as a minor character in the series.

Remember Eri? Well, of course, he had to end up somewhere as well. He renamed himself to Erifu, and works at the same place as Morinasu and Wauf. It seems that he pilots Simire, in order to transport goods from one place to another. He’s been exceptionally busy, as it seems that the highlands and the archipelago are going into war.

Next up, Paraietta. Talk about character growth. I think that she, along with Dominüra and Mamiina changed the most, out of all of the characters in the series. She’s just so laid back now. She has really learned not to worry so much. She also put her time into a very noble job: providing a home for children who have lost their parents. Surprisingly enough, she ended up along with Rodoreamon.

Rodoreamon seems to have decided to take the management of Paraietta’s orphan home. It seems that they’ve got some problems with the upcoming war. She’s a bit worried, but determined as well. Also a HUGE difference with the way she was before.

Kaimu and Aruti decided to live together after all. After they grew up, they just returned to their original home, in order to spend their days quietly. Cute, very cute. ^_^

Yun still is at the spring, though she did decide to choose her gender. In the end, she became a female. Right now, she’s still standing at the spring, devoting her entire life to changing genders. In a way, that’s really sad. But she did choose for it. I remember noting that Jun was a tough nut to crack, back when she was just 100% objectivity. Well, in the end, she definitely had her moment of glory.

Furoe changed the most in terms of appearance. But that’s only logical, as she had the most feminine looks of the entire cast, and she suddenly switched to being a male. He named himself Furoefu. He’s been working as a farmer, right next to the debris that was once the mighty Arcus Prima. I can imagine that it works quite nostalgic. He even visits it some times, on a Helios Motores-powered boat.

Vyura (or Vyurafu) looks so cool as a man. He’s got a really laid-back attitude. And it seems that he’ll be fighting on the side of the enemy. I think that’s one of the messages of this final episode. “Ah well, that’s life.”

Anubitufu and Guraghief look so totally badass, in their new outfits. ^^;

And of course, I knew it was coming when around the final moments of the episode, the creators decided to show a few last shot of the ruins of the Arcus Prima. It really had it coming, and indeed. It’s a perfect way for a finale. We first see Aaeru and Neviriru dancing a bit, symbolizing the journeys they made. Then we switch to one of the hallways, in which Paraietta was doodling on the walls, two episodes ago.

Really, she was more enthusiastic than I thought she was. She made an incredibly cute chibi-drawing of every single Simoun Sybilla. That was so cute to see. A fitting ending for such an awesome series.

Ooh, that was so exciting. After seeing this episode, it seems that the creators are planning to go all out for the final episode, while they used the last couple of episodes as preparations. I still have no idea what’s going to happen. Okay, Aaeru and Neviriru will be performing the Emerald Ri Maajon. But what will happen afterwards? Will they meet with Limone and Dominüra or Amuria? And what may have happened with Mamiina’s corpse which was blown out of the air a couple of episodes ago?

In any case, final episodes are always tricky to perform the right way. Many anime have trouble with this, and only a handful managed to do it in the end. I’m hoping that Simoun will be one of those. In any case, it won’t be one of those rushed endings, as it’s had enough time to prepare. Let’s hope that it’ll be able to deliver.

Anyway, about the episode. We start where we left off after the previous episode: Paraietta, Furoe, Aruti, Kaimu, Vyüra, Morinasu and Rödoreamon entering the spring. This is surprisingly painful for Yun, as we see her in agony once the ritual starts. (On a side-note: the background tune they used for this worked perfectly). The results are quite interesting.

Especially Morinasu, Furoe and Paraietta are surprising. Both Furoe and Morinasu were seen, claiming to become the opposite of what they actually became. I think love had a lot to do with this. And Paraietta so seemed the type to become male. Everyone just assumed that she’d choose this. It’s also interesting if you realize that they aren’t priestesses any more. Especially when they saw a little kid, coming up to them and praying in front of them, just like nothing happened.

The second part of the episode basically features getting Aaeru and Neviriru in a Simoun. For some reason, the Plumbum officials are insisting that they go to the spring as soon as possible. In the end, with a bit of help from everyone, they manage to do this. Aaeru and Neviriru say goodbye and the episode ends.

This episode went so incredibly deep. It’s so different from the direction I hoped for, but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t love it.

The major part of this episode deals with the fact that the Chor Tempest will be disbanded, which means that its members will have to go to the spring, which means that they’ll have to say goodbye to their previous lives. Topics like these always do well, so you’d wonder why so little anime are trying it. In any case, every member, except Aaeru, Neviriru and Yun, will be going to the spring. The way the creators displayed this was awesome. On their last day, they all have just a last bit of fun, before they leave. Kaimu and Aruti also get a bit closer together, and Paraietta was scratching something on the wall near the dormitories. We don’t get to see what exactly it was that she scribbled on it, though.

Aaeru and Neviriru stay on the Arcus Prima, however. Both still are unsure which sex they should choose, and Neviriru keeps bugging Aaeru to do the Emerald Ri Maajon. This eventually ends in Neviriru confessing to Aaeru. I think the two now officially are in love with this. We get to see the results at the next episode. ^^

Yun gets a very surprising role. Remember her during the previous episode? She keeps getting haunted by what she saw. In the end, she decides to leave the Arcus Prima, and accept Onashia, and forgive her for the sins she committed when she didn’t choose a sex, wishing to stay an eternal maiden forever. Onashia then disappears, while Yun takes over her role. The other members of the Chor Tempest find this out in a very interesting way.

Seriously, I never expected that the creators were going for an ending of this kind. You would expect a lot of action, though for the previous two episodes, there hasn’t been any fight scene at all. And due to the fact that peace has been made, I don’t think more action scenes will be coming. At first, I was a bit startled by this, though now I’m beginning to see how incredibly awesome it can become. We still have the problem of Limone and Dominüra. What will their role be in the final two episodes?

An intermezzo. It’ll probably the intermezzo before the big finale of Simoun. Let us hope it’ll be able to deliver the long-awaited bang.

The important characters this time were Aaeru, Neviriru, Paraietta, Yun, Onashia, The Temple One and a bit of Harukonfu. The Peace treaty has been signed. It’s not a trap. But there is a catch: the Chor Tempest will be disbanded. The Priests from the highlands will be taking over the Sibylla’s duties. This worked exceptionally well to put time pressure on our characters. Especially and surprisingly The Temple One shows this, as she isn’t happy with this decision at all. After all, if the Chor Tempest will be disbanded, it’ll almost be impossible to perform the Emerald Ri Maajon. She freaks out and begs Neviriru and Paraietta, who she happened to run into, to perform it.

Yun has meanwhile left the Arcus Prima, and headed towards the ruins. There, she has a very interesting discussion with Onashia. Onashia once was a member of the Chor Dextra. She could understand Yun, as she lost a lot of former friends herself. Onashia then shows her something very interesting: the result of what happens if you don’t choose your gender. If that’s the case, you’ll end up like her. Your eyes get a weird colour, and your body turns blue and starts shedding away strange sparks, which don’t really look healthy. This also explains how Onashia managed to get such a high position. As she never went to the spring, she remained a holy priest for her entire life. Of course that would give her status.

Aaeru is getting more and more confused. It seems that she really wants to see another world. It seems that she had another reason to become a Sibylla than just not being able to make up her mind. Her grandfather also influenced her, making her wanting to travel to another world. That’s why she joined the Chor Tempest. In any case, later in the episode, we see her getting a bit annoyed and confused with Neviriru. She thinks it’s because Neviriru’s been talking more and more, though I (and Furoe as well) think that she’s still jealous with the possibility of Amuria still existing.

Harukonfu still doesn’t know what he can do. He can’t protect his daughter, he lost his status, he’s nothing. Maybe we can expect some interesting things from him in the latest episodes. Paraietta and Neviriru also finally seem to have understood each other.

It seems that everything is set now for the finale. I’m wondering how it’ll go. It’s got some good ingredients, now all that’s left is how to use them.

Interesting. An Anubitifu/Guraghief episode. Didn’t see that one coming. It’s an interestingly paced episode, one you wouldn’t expect at this point of the anime.

The thing starts when Anubitufu makes some decisions Guraghief doesn’t agree with. Remember when Mamiina was shot out of the air? Anubitufu also realized something was wrong when the Sybilla transporting her coffin never returned. Anubitufu sees this as a sign that they don’t have control anymore over their own airspace. He also orders Guraghief not to tell the members of the Chor Tempest about this. That’s where Guraghief doesn’t agree. And he gets angry.

Later, we see them in the church, and Guraghief surprises himself over the fact that Anubitufu would hide things from him, and he no longer understands what he desires. Was this only over the fact that Anubitifu told Guraghief not to tell the Sybilla about Mamiina, or did something happen which we don’t get do see. After all, it’s unlikely to make such a fight because of this. In any case, we later see Anubitifu make a little talk with Wauf. Wauf seems to know that the two of them are hostile to each other. Anubitufu reckons that Guraghief’s too earnest. Wauf makes a comment about how it’s such a pity that he’s a man and he advices Anubitufu to make up with him as soon as possible. After all, you never know, don’t you?

Anubitufu tries to make up in a very original way: by piloting a Simire and commanding the Simoun from the battlefield itself. It works in the end, and it seems that Guraghief has also forgot his grudges with this.

Other interesting characters were Aaeru, the Official, especially Paraietta and a bit of Rödoreamon, Morinasu, Kaimu and Waporifu.

Morinasu gets a small injure after a rather reckless attempt to stop an enemy flyer from being able to hit the capital. It’s not often that you think of such a radical method to stop them. Rodoreamon, meanwhile, shows that she’s not good at all with first aid, and she offers Yun Mamiina’s braid. She seems to have put her trust in Yun to take care of her. Waporifu, meanwhile shows that she’s very good with first aid.

The official’s temper keeps going worse and worse, as the Sybilla keep annoying him more and more when they go against his orders. I think that he isn’t used to people disobeying his orders. He’s probably had a lot of experience in wars, in which everything was strictly regulated. The member of the Chor Tempest must be really new for him, making him unable to deal with them.

Aaeru and Neviriru, meanwhile, spend a part of the episode giving their blessings to the common people who seem to have lost their homes. For Aaeru, this is totally new. We know that she doesn’t believe in Tempus Patiem, but still she’s giving out her prayers. It must’ve felt really weird for her to do. But Neviriru tells her that she remains a Simoun Sybilla, a priest of Tempus Patiem. It’s an interesting view on religion. Teh fact remains that Aaeru’s giving a lot of people the placebo-effect. That’s why religions arrived in the real world in the first place. To give people hope and reassurance. Only later, people began to misuse this, resulting in some bloody events.

Paraietta was awesome. Suddenly, she seems to have realized her importance, and she has made a huge change to herself. She’s decisive, serious. Everything a good leader should be. Kaimu’s reaction to this also was too cute, as she actually started fangirling over her. ^_^;;

Speaking of cute, on a side-note, the eye-catch for this week actually showed Guraghief and Anubitufu in their younger years.

Anyway, about the story, an unexpected twist happens. Both the highlands as the archipelago are actually proposing a peace treaty. That, while they can annihilate Simulacrum any minute now if they want to. For some reason, they also attack after they proposed peace. It seems that this was some kind of warning from them, to put more pressure on Simulacrum and make sure it accepts peace.

I’m wondering what the last four episodes will be about. As of right now, it seems that there won’t be much material left. After all, nobody in the Chor Tempest seems to have any problems, peace has been made, that takes away some big plot holes. But still, there are so many details which still haven’t been solved yet. Why was peace proposed? What happened to Amuria? Will Dominüra and Limone come back? What about the sparkly stuff from Onashia?

Still, I have to admit that Simoun’s reached its height at episodes 14, 15 and 16, in which almost each of the characters was feeling unstable. Right now, it hasn’t been able to reach the awesomeness of these scenes. Mamiina’s death was a very good attempt. It worked perfectly. But there are just too many moments outside of this which, while they are very good, are in no way awesome. I’m hoping for the final four episodes to deliver a bang.

A story-driven episode for once, instead of the character-driven ones. I actually like the latter more. that’s really the department in which Simoun shines like no other. Still, that doesn’t mean that this episode wasn’t good. ^^

The most important part of the episode definitely is Onashia explaining the Emerald Ri Maajon. It’s used to travel from one time to another. We also see Dominüra and Limone back. This also gives us suspicions that Amuria is still alive as well, though in yet another time. I’m not sure whether Limone and Dominüra have landed in the future, or in the past. I personally think that they ended up in the past, as the village is filled with ancient Simoun. Still, they’re all overgrown with vines.

In any case, there was a civilization in the past which was much more advanced than the current ones. It’s interesting that Onashia speaks of “civilization” as singular, instead of plural. It’s said that the Simoun came from those days. In the end, countless wars eradicated the civilization, along with the true purpose of the Simoun. At one time, the Simoun just became useless.

Then, from the sky, it seems that a Simoun from another world, or time in this case. It was being driven by children, sent from god. These girls introduced themselves as Simoun Sibylla. Then, they informed everyone of the Emerald Ri Maajon. The Chor Dextra, which was led by Aaeru’s grandfather, by the way, was created just for the completion of the Emerald Ri Maajon. Dominüra is the only living member of it.

Dominüra also reveals something interesting in her thoughts: the reason she freaked out so horribly in episode 14, when seeing the Simoun. Well, it seems that she was one of these children, sent from god, who originally came from the other world. It seems that she forgot this, and seeing the dismantled Simoun forced her to remember again. This is indeed extremely sad, as she was the one who started the entire war for the control of the Simoun.

However, this brings up so many questions. How old is Dominüra anyway? If Aaeru’s grandfather used to pilot a Simoun, then it must mean that that Dominüra arrived in her Simoun quite some years ago. Still, she looks extremely young. I have a theory, though. Nothing has ever been said about what happens to those who refuse to go to the spring for their entire life, right? The fact that nobody speaks about it must mean that every single person went to the shrine, no exceptions. What if Dominüra is this exception? What if she just didn’t go to the spring, which made her body refuse to age for years and years to follow?

Dominüra also starts singing in front of the people who live in the time they arrived in. I think that that’s one of their rituals, they do every day, in order to give these people hope. I have no idea what started it, though I think that the villagers managed to convince them. They’re indeed living very peaceful. Interesting note: the Simoun appear to make a buzzing sound when they’re inactive.

I also noticed that Limone’s hair grew. This really reminded me of a strange pattern I noticed a while ago and which all anime seem to follow. Most anime don’t even know about hair growth. Half a year passes, and each character still has the same length of hair. Nothing grows. There have been a number of anime, though, which do feature characters who grow their hair. The strange thing, however, is that every single one of these anime has only one of these characters. No more. Simoun has Limone. All of the other characters seem to be spending a lot of time at the barber. The Law of Ueki has Rinko and I’ve heard that Haruhi Suzumiya also had this. It’s a pity that so little characters have this, as I like spotting the differences in character design that way. (That’s why I also like characters who like to change hairstyles)

In any case, the fact that this was a story-driven episode doesn’t mean that we didn’t have any character-development. This time, it came from Yun, Limone, Dominüra, Onashia and a bit of Aaeru and Paraietta.

Notice how Paraietta was very determined when the Chor Tempest was scolded for going out unauthorized (eheh, so what? Aaeru used to do this lots of times. :P). Also, notice how Aaeru gets uncomfortable when Neviriru suddenly gets hope of Amuria being alive? I wonder what kind of reasons she has for this. Does she think that she’ll lose an important pair, or an important friend to Amuria?

Both Limone and Dominüra have changed. Limone has told herself never to say “I dunno” anymore. That’s why she tries to find a suitable answer for each question asked to her. Dominüra, on her turn, has become extremely relaxed, cheerful and optimistic. We also see a surprisingly weak side of Onashia. For some reason, she became extremely exhausted on the journey back to the ruins. When she arrived, however, this weakness was gone. She also shredded off some strange, sparkling substance when she walked.

The most interesting one, though was Yun. She goes along with Aaeru and Neviriru in their mission to escort Onashia back to the ruins, as she wants to ask Onashia about her fallen comrades. Onashia told Yun the previous episode that she could hear Mamiina’s voice, so Yun was hoping that this would be the same for her former friends. She wonders whether their souls have been set free. Yun gets a response she doesn’t like. The one who desires to be set free his Yun herself. Not only does this suggest that her comrades have yet to be set free, but it also means that Yun has indeed been keeping all of her feelings inside of her. Onashia reveals that Yun wants to escape to a place far away. She’s been fooling herself all along.

Simoun really continues its path of awesomeness. This episode was meant for the death of Mamiina to really sink in. It’s interesting to see the different reactions from the different Sybilla.

Rödoreamon tries to act strong. In the end, though, when she finds out that Mamiina cut her own braids, she breaks down. Aaeru can’t take it from the beginning, Neviriru gets to be the one to comfort her. Paraietta also breaks down even more, but surprisingly Aruti talks some sense back into her. Aruti herself seems to be planning to disappear from Kaimu, in order to make her smile again. For Furoe, this was the last drop, and she decided to go to the spring. I don’t know whether at the end of the episode, she still thinks like that, though. Neviriru keeps doubting even more, as she was one of the factors who killed Mamiina in the first place, though Aaeru’s crying makes her realize that she indeed has to survive. It really seems that everyone’s having trouble with this, though Yun, Morinasu and Kaimu seem to be the least affected.

One of the advisors also remained on the Arcus Prima, and he doesn’t really help to comfort the Sybilla. He keeps thinking of war and winning, not caring about Mamiina at all. Onashia also paid a visit to the Arcus Prima, in which she gave Yun Mamiina’s braid. I don’t know whether she had more purposes, though. In the end, a carrier is seen, transporting Mamiina’s coffin to the place she was born, before even a funeral was helt. At the end of the episode, one of the ancient Simoun comes, and shoots this carrier down. The last thing we see is Mamiina, lying in a field full of flowers.

Overall, this episode was nothing short of amazing, even though it was meant as an intermezzo. Simoun really is, apart from The Third, perhaps, the best series to have arrived in the Spring-Season.

This episode was so incredibly sneaky. Mamiina is screaming, along with the other priestesses, you hear gunfire and the screen freezes. It’s a typical cliff-hanger. The episode was nice, the developments were okay. Until it seems that that was everything BUT the cliff-hanger, and the scenes which followed totally blew me away! That was SO awesome!

In any case, the episode starts as a standard Simoun episode. It’s centred around one character this time: Mamiina. She’s grown so much, ever since she showed up for the first time. In any case, during the previous episode, both Aaeru and Yun were thinking the same thing, and they went after the others in their Simoun, despite all orders. It’s something you really expect them to do, especially from Aaeru. ^_^

This also places the problem with the government officials in the back, an focuses on what’s really important again: the characters. That really is the thing Simoun’s good at: it’s immensely huge cast of extremely well developed characters. That’s what makes this anime work.

Meanwhile, the others have reached the Messis, and it seems that the two remaining members of the Chor Riboru will be replacing Limone and Doninüra: Vyüra and an unnamed Sybilla. Vyüra is also someone who’s changed a whole lot. She gets surprised when she learns that Aaeru and Yun are gone. Wauf then gives the Chor Tempest a chance to rest. We then switch to the dormitories, in which Mamiina sits on her own. Rödoreamon then enters, wondering why she’s taking so long. As Mamiina’s braids are starting to get loose, Rödoreamon offers to redo them. This only shows how close the two of them have become, despite their incredibly different personalities.

We then switch to a meeting between Wauf and the Chor Tempest, in order to come up with a strategy. Vyüra and her unnamed companion will be guarding the rear of the Messis, and be in charge of the communication relays, while the Chor Tempest will handle the offensive part. Aruti then says something which upsets Furoe a bit (one of the few times she talks) Paraietta joins in and Mamiina needs to calm them a bit. They also mentions the fact that everyone ate from the same pot, something only she and Rödoreamon can understand, seeing that she put some mice on the menu. ^_^

Later, the mission has started. The Simoun will be divided into two teams: Neviriru, Mamiina, Furoe and Aruti and Paraietta, Kaimu, Morinasu and Rödoreamon. Both teams are searching the skies. Meanwhile, Vyüra wonders why the Chor Tempest was used for this mission. Wauf answers with something Dominüra used to say: because the headquarters understand nothing. Looking at the previous episode, I agree with her as well.

Furoe, meanwhile, gets a bit agitated when Neviriru wants to talk to Mamiina a bit alone. About the fact that she’s changed. I think that Furoe’s the only one whom Aruti actually talks to. It’s very interesting, maybe this gets used later on in the series. Then the two Simoun run into the airbase. Neviriru gives orders to examinate the thing very carefully, as patrols might be lurking.

Paraietta, meanwhile, continues to act spaced-out, and people have to ask her twice in order to get a reply. Yun and Aaeru have meanwhile caught up with the Messis, and they immediately advance to the front lines. Wauf also gives the Messis the order to go full speed. I guess he was waiting for the two of them before he wanted to take action. ^_^

Meanwhile, Neviriru and the others have been spotted, and waves of patrols emerge from the air platform, including the stolen Simoun from episode 17, the two which managed to escape. Aaeru and Yun meanwhile have passed Paraietta and the others and head for the other group. Neviriru, does her utter best in order to defeat the enemies, though the enemy Simoun prove to be tricky to defeat with just Ri Maajons. But then again, this is logical. The Simoun are the only crafts which have total freedom in the air. The other airplanes have to obey rules, which makes them predictable, which in turn makes them quite easy targets for Ri Maajons.

Neviriru then tells Furoe and Aruti to escape, while she distracts the enemies. In the end, they get hit by one of the flying planes, and they manage to crash on the air platform. Mamiina is okay, though Neviriru is unconscious. The enemy Simoun are the soonest to be near them, and they approach Mamiina, and point their guns at her.

A very nice plot twist follows when it appears that the priests are actually good guys! They do view the Sybilla as the persons highest to Tempus Patium. In the end, they do seem to have acknowledged that Tempus Patiem and their god remain the same. They also claim to be different from the people from the Archipelago, and that they wish to help Mamiina and Neviriru. The latter recognizes no lies in their words, so the former agrees. Sortof. :)

Mamiina then activates the Simoun again, along with one of the Priests, and they take off. The priests jump off, though Mamiina then realizes that the Priests will be executed if they remain. She then cuts off one of her breads, says farewell to Neviriru and jumps on the platform, along with the priests. Meanwhile, the forces of the Archipelago come rushing in. Mamiina then screams with all of the others the infamous word: “Aaeru”.

And when you think things are already amazing, just wait till the next scenes, in which the other Sybilla discover that Mamiina has been shut! Especially Aaeru and Rödoreamon have it hard. Wauf meanwhile arrives, and blasts the air platform down with the Messis. He works really well as a captain. He really earned that job. ^_^

Mamiina immediately gets taken to intensive care, while Rödoreamon and Aaeru can’t take it anymore. Neviriru, meanwhile, is nowhere to be found. Then the Messis retreats and the episode ends.

And what an episode it was! I’m SO glad that the focus on the characters didn’t disappeared along with Dominüra and Limone! I was a bit worried, as things seemed to have been settled down. But this episode proved that I had nothing to worry about. I can’t wait for even more awesomeness from Simoun.

I’m also wondering what’ll happen to the Priests from Plumbum. They obviously had their reasons to fight against the Simoun, and Angurasu showed that they aren’t afraid to blow down an airship from Simulacrum. Did Angurasu actually agree with their views?

This episode felt like an intermezzo. The atmosphere wasn’t as heavy as it was before, though the episode remained incredibly worthwhile. Some new problems get introduced, older problems get brought back, and Paraietta, Aaeru, Neviriru, Mamiina, Rödoreamon, Yun and Harukonfu get a healthy dose of character development.

Firstly, regarding the plot. We begin the episode with the funeral of Angurasu. It’s being helt in the Arcus Prima. Apparently, I was wrong in my conclusion at the end of the previous episode. The enemy has managed to capture a number of Simoun from the Chor Caputo and Riboru, but it hasn’t discovered their secrets yet. What happened in the previous episode was Angurasu, along with two other priests, sneaking into the ruins, trying to steal one of the Simoun of the Ancients. There isn’t that much info about them, but I do suspect that they formed the base for the normal Simoun. The previous episode was meant to show that the enemy indeed is capable of piloting Simoun.

Later, Neviriru and Aaeru speculate about what happened with Angurasu, Limone, Dominüra and Amuria. They reach an interesting conclusion. The Simoun are able to bend even time and space. Angurasu, at the moment she shot her bombs, went to some kind of special place. That explains why she didn’t die that time. Aaeru’s grandfather also suspected something like this. This episode also suggests that in his Sibylla-years, he seemed to have been quite important, or in any case famous.

He also knew quite a lot about the Simoun, as it seems that he used to tell Aaeru that the Simoun can see what’s ahead, which indeed confirms that they do have the ability to mess with time. He also reveals that the Simoun can bring you to a different world. Aaeru’s grandfather has always yearned for this other world. Aaeru and Neviriru then realize that Limone and Dominüra indeed are alive somewhere. And Amuria as well.

The interesting question, of course, remains: is there just one other world, or are there more? Were Dominüra and Limone sent to the same place as Amuria? And how about Angurasu? Was she also sent towards the other world, or did she just teleport to a random place in the normal world? If she didn’t, and really got sent to the other world, then how did she get back? And why haven’t Dominüra, Limone and Amuria come back? I’m suspecting that Onashia’s playing a significant role in this one. I’m also wondering what the trigger is for being sent off. So far, the things that both Amuria as Limone as Dominüra as Angurasu shared in common was that they felt themselves incredibly close to god, and a loud explosion followed. Aaeru and Neviriru decide to keep the things they found out a secret for each other.

Meanwhile, it seems that yet another nuisance has appeared, in the form of a bunch of highly placed government officials. They’ll be playing the role Harukonfu had in the earlier episodes. Only ten times worse. These people also don’t believe that the Simoun are god’s crafts, which results in quite some snide remarks and arrogantic behavior. Aaeru and Neviriru manage to pwn them at first, when they ask the Simoun for their strongest Ri Maajon, and they display the Dandelion Ri Maajon, otherwise known as the one who only gets performed during ceremonies due to its huge symbolism and history. But fortunately (am I getting sadistic?) these guys don’t give up that fast. They even knock Yun against the wall when she hinders them when they try to take away Angurasu’s body and they order Waporifu to dismantle a Simoun once again.

The Sky Fortress from episode twelve is still an issue, though. Ever since we saw it that episode, it has been unfindable. The officials want to find it. This all gets mentioned during a meeting with the officials, Harukonfu, Anubitufu, Guraghief and the high priests of the Arcus Prima. During the same meeting, the fact that Neviriru is piloting Aaeru gets mentioned. The high priests become a bit startled when they realize something her grandfather seems to have done. Then, the scene ends, suggesting something which happens later in the episode.

Yun, meanwhile encounters the officials carrying Angurasu’d dead body away, and gets pushed away violently, like described before. Later, the Sybilla get information about their upcoming missions. It seems that they’ll be heading back to the Messis, in order to locate the Sky Fort, as the Messis works better for these kinds of missions. Everyone also gets surprised when Mamiina is forced as Neviriru’s pair, while Aaeru and Yun don’t get to participate in the mission at all. The events preceding these scenes, combined with Harukonfu’s reaction suggest that the reason for Aaeru not being able to participate is her grandfather, while Yun can’t participate because of her behaviour against the officials. But is that all there is to it? Especially the way this episode ended made me see this.

The Sybilla head off, and Aaeru and Yun are left behind. (Just wondering: where were the Simoun heading to? Were they heading for the Messis first, in order to search for the Sky Fortress based on it, or are they just on a single mission, planning to return to the Arcus Prima later that day, or the day after? There’s quite a significant difference between these two options) Both Aaeru and Yun rush off, in order to do something. What are they planning? Are they planning the same thing? We’ll have to wait till next week in order to find these ones out.

Neviriru is starting to get more and more friendlier with Aaeru. This episode, she also made the initiative of starting a conversation with her. She also looked quite happy along with Aaeru, when they had to perform her Ri Maaju in the Maaju Pool. I don’t think I can believe her when she claimed not to trust Aaeru, and that she only faced Aaeru in order to be able to face Amuria, and so herself.

Aaeru’s reasons for refusing to choose her gender are also explained a bit more, during a flashback of her and her grandfather. In there, her grandfather uses an analogy of a river. The young Aaeru is able to cross it, though the old grandfather isn’t. He can’t go any further. He then tells Aaeru that in order to grow old, you have to make decisions to get there. That means that if you make one, you will be left out on the other options you’ve chosen not to take. This means that you lose tons of opportunities if you make a decision. (interesting note: what happened to Aaeru’s cheek in the flashback? Was it meant as a symbol, to show that Aaeru liked to run off to dangerous places, or did something specific happen to her?)

Paraietta, meanwhile, begins to get more and more doubts. Seeing Aaeru and Neviriru together doesn’t really make her feel comfortable either. Neither is the fact that they seem like the perfect team. Then there’s also the matter that she believes that she can’t make any good decisions at all. Then, during this episode, she finally loses it. She finally realizes that she has to protect Neviriru forcefully. Not quite the best idea ever, though the results were very entertaining. During the evening, when the two of them are alone, Paraietta grabs her chance, in trying to forcefully win Neviriru over her. Of course, Neviriru doesn’t agree with this.

Mamiina reveals that she enjoyed the time she had on the Messis quite a lot (unlike a certain Furoe ^^). Everyone seemed equal at that time, even eating mouse stew. Mamiina did realize, however, that everyone was different. This became clear after they got back to the Arcus Prima again. Later in the episode, when it seems that she finally gets her chance to pair with Neviriru. She then reveals to Rödoreamon that she still wants to be on the same level as the others, but this time it’s because she truly wants to be friends with everyone.

Rödoreamon also showed that she can be strong. This became clear when Mamiina showed her her weakness. The two are living towards each other more and more.

Waporifu, meanwhile, still has Dominüra’s reaction after seeing the dismantled Simoun on her mind. She seems quite against the fact that she has to dismantle a Simoun yet again. She wonders what to do, and eventually reaches the conclusion to do what she believes in. She didn’t get featured too long during this episode, though I don’t think that that was the last thing we’ve seen of this.

Yun finally begins to show signs of weaknesses and determination. We had to wait for this for a long while, but finally, she’s also beginning to break out of her shell. The first sign we see of this is when she looks at a miniature boat-like item with a very nostalgic look. Though I have no idea what this might be. It could be a cradle as well. For some reason, she also was heavily offended by the fact that Angurasu was carried away, and she attempted to stop the officials. Later in the episode, she also can’t get any sleep at all.

Harukonfu seems to have lost the spark he once had. I think that seeing the peace negotiations end up with the initiators killing themselves wasn’t good for his health. It’s like Mamiina said: he’s become an old man now. He’s not able of acting with the confidence and charisma he once had. Therefore, he loses influence. Still, he was quite sad in which he begged Neviriru not to make his job even more difficult.

I’m also wondering about Kaimu. Obviously, her role still isn’t over, as she’s still in love with Paraietta. As the latter is way too busy with getting angry over Neviriru and Aaeru, she fell in the background a bit. Still, the fact that she looked up hopefully to Paraietta when the two of them were assigned to remain in the same Pair, does suggest that she hasn’t lost any of her feelings yet. Paraietta, however, didn’t notice anything.

I’m also wondering about Aruti. For now, it seems that her only reason to be in the Chor Tempest is Kaimu, but I want to see their relationship get even more developed. For now, they act like strangers, while their case really remains interesting. Furoe has gotten some subtle changes, though she remains the most cheerful members of the Chor Tempest. I think that, because of her personality, that she’s able to handle more than the average member of the Chor Tempest. Morinasu also isn’t seen near Waporifu, this time. It seems that the two have made up, though their relationship has changed (I couldn’t help but wondering: how exactly would you define their relationship? Straight, as Morinasu is a woman, while Waporifu is a man? Yaoi, as Waporifu is a man, and Morinasu’s planning to become a man as well? Yuri, as technically, they’re both women? Or a combination of the three of them?)

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Ebod

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 08:22 PM)

V for Vendetta for me has always been a more “literary” work than Watchmen, but Watchmen is spectacular because it’s a story that can only be told in full scope in the comic format. While I feel like many major themes and events from V for Vendetta could easily be adapted into, say, novel format, the same could not be said of Watchmen.
Also, the racist whitewashing Hollywood does of Asian characters really has to stop.

Bam

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 06:30 AM)

Watchmen was deemed ‘unadaptable’ for about thirty years, so just getting what Snyder got out of the material is a huge success; it is said that what he did was to write a book version of Ingmar’s Holy Mountain. Watchmen is the only graphic novel to ever win a Hugo award and is easily the most intricate and multilayered Alan Moore comic, so it’s no surprise that it continues to top ‘best comics of all time’ charts to this day.

Bam

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 06:20 AM)

I beg to differ. Doctor Manhatten is the most intriguing character of Watchmen and the comic is a giant in ,not only in the comic world, but the history of literature itself. It is a deconstruction of superheros and Dr. M shows how afraid the world would really be when faced with a ‘superman’ and how a creature in such a higher realm of time and perception would show apathy toward humans and their foolish struggles.

Bam

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 06:15 AM)

GitS just won’t work. Maybe in a world before the Matrix, but not now with so many elements of it borrowed liberally by so many franchises in various mediums. Scarlet Johansson is decent in roles that fit her. She was enjoyable in Lost In Translation, but race aside she has nothing in common with Kusanagi. This is a travesty and the franchise is dear to me so it especially burns my ass.

Emma

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 06:10 AM)

While I am no fan of man of steel, Nolan and Snyder, just about anyone would have a hard time taking a difficult character like superman and making him work on screen.

Emma

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 06:08 AM)

Apart from Veidt and Rorshach I could never get into the characters all that much in watchmen. I also found the film overly long and mediocre acted for the larger part. But to each there own. For Alan moores works I always preferred his Miracleman, swamp thing, V for Vendetta stories.

Bam

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 06:06 AM)

Nolan can produce the action plus personal and dark story that Alita would need, and he also brings talent such as composer Hans Zimmer and Cinematographer Sally Pfister to the table. Him and Snyder have too much combined integrity to make a mockery out of Alita like Spielberg did with the GitS license.

Bam

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 06:03 AM)

Well Snyder has respect for his source materials and that is key in anime-to-film adaptations. Hell I’m a big Watchmen fan and I thought his version was (almost painfully) close to the comic. You’re not going to get that anywhere else in Hollywood. Also the combination of Nolan/Snyder is quite different than them individually.

Emma

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 05:34 AM)

And directed it as a co-production with America, using a Japanese cast.
Yeah…this is impossible…

Emma

(Tuesday, Mar 3. 2015 05:32 AM)

The only way a live action ghost in the shell film would work is if Mamoru oshii directed it.

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